Lecture 4 : Terrorism and the City

Question 1

What are 4 key characteristics of terrorism according to Wilkinson (2006)?

Answer 1

It is always premeditated – isn’t a spur of the moment/ have planned.

It retains a symbolic element

considered to be extra-normal

It is used to influence political behaviour

PEIS

Question 2

How many incidents of terrorism occurred between 1970 and 2020 according to the global terrorism database?

Answer 2

200,000 incidents.

Question 3

How does the global terrorism database define terrorism?

Answer 3

Acts by non-state actors involving the threatened or actual use of illegal force or violence to attain political, economic, religious, or social goals through fear, coercion, or intimidation.

Non-state actors use illegal force to achieve goals through fear

Question 4

What type of terrorism is not included in the global terrorism database’s definition?

Answer 4

State terrorism, where states target groups and citizens, is not included.

Question 5

Which countries have the highest number of terrorist incidents according to the global terrorism database?

Answer 5

Afghanistan followed by Iraq.

Question 6

Which group/perpatrators is responsible for the most terrorism incidents according to the global terrorism database?

Answer 6

The Taliban.

Question 7

How has the nature of terrorism changed according to the document?

Answer 7

Terrorism is now more global.

Question 8

What is a broader target of attacks on cities beyond just governments and those in power?
destroying ….

Answer 8

Destroying a way of life and the tolerance of differences characteristic of cities.

Question 9

What revenge does Herold (2004) suggest about the imposition of rural values on cities?

Answer 9

the revenge of the poor countryside against the city.

Question 10

the 6 practical considerations for targeting cities:

Answer 10

C: Communication facilities
A: Anonymity (degree of)
R: Recruitment and proximity to others in a network
T: Transport
S: Sourcing components or funds (ease of)
W: Wealth of target

CARTS W

Question 11

Why would terrorists target a city based on population distribution?

Answer 11

A high percentage of the world’s population lives in cities or urban areas.

Question 12

How does the shift in demographics and urbanization affect the accessibility of targets for terrorists?

Answer 12

The increasing number of people who live, work, and socialize in cities increases the number of accessible targets.

Question 13

Why might buildings in cities be attractive targets for terrorists?

Answer 13

Buildings often have strong symbolic meanings

Question 14

According to the graph, which type of terrorism has caused the most deaths?

Answer 14

Nationalist terrorism.

Question 15

According to De la Calle and Sanchez Cuenca, where did terrorism as an innovation originate?

Answer 15

Terrorism is argued to be a European innovation.

Question 16

Why do terrorists seek media coverage for their acts?

Answer 16

Terrorists want media coverage to publicize their cause.

Question 17

What have some media critics suggested about the relationship between media coverage and political violence?

Answer 17

They suggested that political violence would radically decline or even disappear if the media were not so eager to cover terrorist events.

Question 18

What are the 5 strategies, tactics, and targets of urban terrorists according to Harmon (2001)?

Answer 18

Create a sense of social dislocation

Spread fear and chaos

Provoke governments to engage in repressive counter-terrorist responses

Inflict economic and military damage

Gain publicity; terrorism is “theatre” aimed at people watching, not the actual victims (Jenkins, 1975)

Question 19

What did Savitch (2003) describe 9/11 as in terms of economic impact?

Answer 19

A “contagion of economic distress.”

Question 20

What percentage of American cities reported that their economies had weakened after 9/11?

Answer 20

41%.

Question 21

What was the effect on public confidence and municipal revenues in American cities after 9/11?

… of cities reported a fall in municipal revenues,

… indicated steep drops in public confidence.

Answer 21

30% of cities reported a fall in municipal revenues, and 28% indicated steep drops in public confidence.

Question 22

What term did Savitch (2003) use to describe the cultural impact of terrorism on urban areas?

Answer 22

The bin Laden effect.’

Question 23

How has fear and insecurity changed in cities after 9/11?

Answer 23

Cities have become more fearful and insecure, especially among those closest to and living in cities.

Question 24

What demographic changes occurred in cities post-9/11?
people moved to ..

Answer 24

People, particularly the middle-class and well-educated, fled cities for safer suburbs and rural areas.

Question 25

What is a potential positive response of communities/cities to terrorism?

Answer 25

Communities and cities may stand together and refuse to be intimidated.

Question 26

What is the government’s counter-terrorism strategy CONTEST has 4 main elements:
4P’s

Answer 26

Pursue – to stop terrorist attacks

Prevent: to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism

Protect: strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack

Prepare – to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack

Question 27

What controversy surrounds the PREVENT element of the CONTEST strategy?

Answer 27

The PREVENT deradicalisation element has been controversial due to possible alienation/targeting of Muslim people in urban areas and involving schools/colleges in de facto surveillance.

Question 28

How does Coaffee suggest reducing the threat of terrorist attacks in London?

Answer 28

Through the adoption of territorial approaches to security.

Question 29

What is ‘splintered urbanism’ according to Coaffee (2004)?

Answer 29

Constructing security rings around sections of cities deemed most at risk.

Question 30

What balance does Coaffee argue needs to be struck in counter-terrorism efforts?

Answer 30

Between freedom of access, mobility, other democratic freedoms, and increasingly militarized security perspectives.

Question 31

What is the “ring of steel” in London?

Answer 31

A security and surveillance cordon consisting of road barriers, checkpoints, and CCTV cameras surrounding the City of London.

Question 32

What does “rings of confidence” refer to in Coaffee’s paper?

Answer 32

Areas of the city that have become disconnected physically and technologically from the rest of the city.

Question 33

Give an example of a “ring of concrete” mentioned by Coaffee (2004).

Answer 33

The United States embassy in central London, separated by concrete barriers, armed guards, and mandatory ID cards.